Steve Smith Backs Usman Khawaja, Calls Perth Preparation Criticism Unfair

Steve Smith has come out in support of Usman Khawaja after the latter revealed how he faced stern racial criticism at the start of the current Ashes series. Smith said it was very unfair for Khawaja to face such criticism while recovering from an injury. The Australian test captain also applauded the marvelous career of Khawaja, who announced retirement from international cricket recently.

Speaking about the batting abilities of Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith said that he always knew about his talent, as both of them came through the same New South Wales pathways into the national setup.

"I remember playing against him in a couple of Under-17 versus Under-19 games for New South Wales and watching him bat. The way he pulled the ball, I was like, this guy picks length up quicker than anyone I've seen.” said Steve Smith.

“He was pulling balls off the top of the stumps. I feel like throughout his career, he's been batting his best when he's been doing that as well. And just his progression over a long period of time has been outstanding." added Steve Smith.

He then spoke about how Usman Khawaja became a better spin player after getting dropped from the Australian team before 2019. It allowed him to go back to the basics and correct his spin game by following the right technique.

"He hates it, but we dropped him. I was captain at that stage and we dropped him in the subcontinent. We didn't think he was playing the spinners as well as he does now. But he got that opportunity to go back and figure out ways to play.” said Steve Smith.

“Whether he would have done that had he kept playing, I'm not sure. But he went back and found some different methods to defend spin. He was reversing, sweeping, and that's a mode of defence in a way when you put the field out.” added Steve Smith.

Smith then claimed that Khawaja is arguably the best spin player in the team now, as he has scored a lot of runs in tough spinning conditions.

"He's arguably one of our best players of spin now. So maybe [it was] a blessing in disguise. But the way he's been able to play over his 15-year career… it's a credit to him and not too many people get to go out on their own terms." said Steve Smith.

Steve Smith Backs Usman Khawaja Firmly

Talking about the racial criticism Usman Khawaja faced recently, Smith said that it was really disappointing how some people targeted him for a non-relevant issue.  He added that Khawaja has always focused on his preparation for the game, so making his golf activities an issue in relation to his injury was completely unfair.

"I'm not going into the mind of Usman Khawaja. He's had a great career. In terms of preparation, I think he's always prepared the same way. He's worked hard. Some of the stuff around him getting injured when he played golf the day before the game, that was unfair.” said Steve Smith.

"I think he's done that for 15 years and had a pretty good career. On an odd occasion where he prepared the same way he got injured, it's pretty unfair to single that out. To the rest of it, I can't really say too much on that, that's Usman's views." added Steve Smith.

Speaking about his own plans to retire from the international arena, Smith said that he doesn’t have any real date in mind. He is currently enjoying cricket, so he wants to continue it as long as his body is fit.  

"I think with Usman dropping off now as one of our experienced players, it probably wouldn't be ideal if him and I went out this week, for instance. So, no, I want to keep playing and don't read into that too much. I'm still playing. I'm enjoying it.” said Steve Smith.

He added that the team’s ultimate goal is to reach the World Test Championship final, so it will aim to stick with a core group of players who can perform consistently throughout the ongoing cycle.

"I think ultimately you probably want a group of players that you can get to and have playing in that cycle to get to the World Test Championship final, but that's a question for the coach and selectors as well." said Steve Smith.